Paul Finebaum makes bold prediction about Indiana football
Paul Finebaum praises Indiana but reveals why he expects the Hoosiers to fall short of another national title.
New Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover started 6-for-6 passing for 98 yards and two touchdowns in his first start with the Hoosiers, but it took some blood and sweat — literally.
In the second quarter of Indiana’s season opener against North Texas on Saturday, Sept. 5, a Mean Green defender brought some pressure to Hoover in the pocket but grabbed Hoover’s facemask and turned his helmet completely backward in an obvious penalty. The defender was flagged for the play, which caused an open wound to Hoover’s face, which he played with the remainder of the drive.
Blood continued to drip down Hoover’s face and onto his chinstrap midway through the second quarter, but the first-year TCU transfer led the Hoosiers on a touchdown drive anyway, ending in a 9-yard touchdown pass to returning starter Charlie Becker to extend their lead to 21-3.
It was quite a first impression for a quarterback aiming to fill the shoes of Fernando Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and won the Heisman Trophy before scoring a gutty touchdown himself in the national championship.
Following Indiana’s 52-16 win over North Texas, Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti told reporters that he did not see the play in which Hoover’s helmet was yanked off of him.
“I didn’t see the hit (on Josh),” Cignetti said in his postgame news conference. “Saw his face and pants afterwards. I’m sure he earned the respect of his teammates for his performance today.”
Hoover, a three-year starter at TCU, entered the game with 9,629 career passing yards and 79 total touchdowns to 33 interceptions. His first touchdown as a Hoosier was a beautiful back-shoulder pass to Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh, who caught the pass one-handed for what was also his first score.
It sure seems like Hoover is a Curt Cignetti guy, especially after staying in the game to deliver a touchdown. He finished the day with an efficient showing, completing 13-of-16 passes for 231 yards and four passing touchdowns in the rout.